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Thursday, September 01, 2005Part of the problem in New Orleans:Tourist Debbie Durso of Washington, Mich., said she asked a police officer for assistance and his response was, "'Go to hell — it's every man for himself.'" Here's that man's boss: "We have individuals who are getting raped, we have individuals who are getting beaten," Compass said. "Tourists are walking in that direction and they are getting preyed upon." Here's how New Orleans officials are responding: New Orleans' top emergency management official called that [federal] effort a "national disgrace" and questioned when reinforcements would actually reach the increasingly lawless city. And here's what the people are doing: A military helicopter tried to land at the convention center several times to drop off food and water. But the rushing crowd forced the choppers to back off. Troopers then tossed the supplies to the crowd from 10 feet off the ground and flew away.And I haven't even mentioned the rapists and looters. There are already discussions going on the web (check out the Corner, link at left) about how New Orleans peculiar governing structures left no single authority with any control over or even knowledge about the maintenance of the levies. Bottom line, this looks like a horrible tragedy exacerbated by a lot of human idiocy at all levels. But looking back on 9/11, the folks of New Orleans, from the mayor on down, sure ain't New Yorkers. Some of this is unfair. In New York, everything happened at once. Responsible people didn't have time to evacuate; they had to stay put and maintain order. In NO, by contrast, those left either couldn't or wouldn't leave - the lawless and the helpless. Let's hope they get it together soon. But before the whining starts about "Where was Bush?" we might suggest that states that think they should have their own abortion, death penalty, gambling and other laws can also take responsibility for their own public safety, having some structures in place to at least keep things under control till the feds arrive. If the NO police were protecting the populace, not cursing them out or joining in the looting, order could be better maintained pending the arrival of the feds. It's also worth pointing out before the finger-pointing starts that Mississippi and Alabama seem to be handling things much better. If Nagin and Blanco lay blame at Bush's feet, someone might point out that Haley Barbour and the folks of Biloxi didn't seem to have the same issues on the same scale. 
posted by gbarto at 7:15 PM |
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